Running – November 5th – 24th, 2024 at Montreal’s Centaur Theatre
Special Performances with French Surtitles:
- Thursday, November 14, 8:00 PM
- Friday, November 15, 8:00 PM
- Saturday, November 16, 2:00 PM
When Mother accidentally knifes her husband, it’s more than just a stab at family tradition— it’s the spark that ignites Chloé Hung’s Three Women of Swatow, a riotous yet sharp-witted exploration of three generations of Chinese-Canadian women entangled in blood, blades, and buried family legacies.
Directed by Sophie Gee, Three Women of Swatow brings Shiong-En Chan, Qianna MacGilchrist, and Julie Tamiko Manning to the stage, with each performer infusing her character with a mix of humor, pathos, and gut-wrenching honesty. These women don’t just clean up messes—they slice through the silence that so often defines generational conflict.
Hung’s play balances on the edge of dark comedy, expertly wielding humor as deftly as any knife to dissect cultural expectations, generational trauma, and the bonds that bind (or wound) us. Set against a backdrop of both familial and cultural history, the show explores whether these women can sever themselves from past cycles or if they’re destined to repeat them—a notion as heavy as it is hilarious.
About the Playwright: Chloé Hung
In just a few short years, Chloé Hung has become one of Canada’s most celebrated new playwrights. Awarded the IAMA Rhimes Unsung Voices Playwriting commission in 2023—backed by Hollywood’s Shonda Rhimes—Hung’s knack for blending searing drama with cutting humor has captured international attention. Three Women of Swatow, which premiered at Toronto’s Tarragon Theatre, reflects her fearless approach to storytelling and her unique voice within the Canadian theatre landscape.
So if you’re in the mood for a show that serves up suspense, wit, and just the right amount of blood, come see Three Women of Swatow. This is one family dinner you won’t forget—no knives required.
Show Details:
Website: HERE
- Run Time: 90 minutes (no intermission)
- Tickets: $22 – $68
Three Women of Swatow runs from November 5-24, 2024. With its raw humor and sharp observations, it’s a slice of theatre that cuts deep.